5 Ways Respite Care Helps Family Caregivers

By Ted Holmgren, 9:00 am on February 13, 2017

Family caregivers often do everything they can for their loved ones, and may need some professional assistance from time to time. Ahwatukee Foothills senior care experts suggest 5 ways hiring professional respite care can help family caregivers provide better care for their senior loved ones.

1. Learn New Strategies for Care

When a loved one needs long-term care, it is often the family’s first time managing a serious health condition. Professional caregivers are trained to manage conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease with compassion and help families provide their loved ones with the right types of support. For example, a professional care expert can teach your loved one how to dress using assistive devices or provide insight on how to manage your loved one’s medication. Tips such as these go a long way toward enhancing your family’s care plan for your loved one.

2. Connect with Other Caregivers

Caregiving can sometimes feel like a lonely responsibility. However, there are many people in your community who are facing similar challenges. With respite care, family caregivers can visit support groups and meet others who can provide encouragement when times feel tough. It can be beneficial knowing you have an additional caregiver on your team who is willing to step in anytime you need assistance.

3. Adapt to Changing Levels of Care

As your loved one ages, his or her care plan may need changes, and it is important to have help during this time. For instance, your loved one may need care overnight, and your family needs time to figure out how to make it work. Respite caregivers in Ahwatukee Foothills provide around-the-clock senior care services and can look after your loved one at nights, on the weekends, or any other time you want.

4. Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy

Increasing stress places family caregivers at a greater risk for illness, injury, and mental health conditions such as depression. Having a respite caregiver visit the senior’s home allows caregivers to tend to their personal needs, from scheduling yearly physical exam to visiting a therapist. Hiring a professional caregiver also allows your loved one to benefit from having a comfortable, happy, and experienced caregiver.

5. Manage Scheduling Conflicts

One technique many families use is to rotate care responsibilities among different members of the group. While this works most of the time, it is still possible for conflicts to arise and affect your ability to provide consistent care. For example, you may have a medical appointment scheduled on the same day your adult sibling does. Respite care serves as a reliable backup plan for situations such as these so everyone can have their needs met without having to sacrifice their loved one’s care.

When hiring professional respite care for your aging loved one, make sure the caregivers are professionally trained and have adequate experience. At Home Care Assistance, our respite and live-in caregivers in Ahwatukee Foothills are bonded, insured, and licensed to provide tailored care and support to seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. We provide ongoing training to all our caregivers to enhance their skill sets and keep them updated on all latest innovations in senior care so they can help boost your loved one’s physical and cognitive health. If you’re in need of a break from your caregiving duties, get in touch with one of our friendly Care Managers at 480-448-6215.